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Nervous System
Enormous network of nerve fibers traversing the human body, functioning as the central operator and intelligence for body regulation.
Central Nervous System (CNS)
Composed of the brain and spinal cord; acts as the command center of the body.
Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)
Composed of cranial and spinal nerves that link all parts of the body to the CNS.
Somatic Nervous System
Part of the PNS involved in voluntary body movements.
Autonomic Nervous System
Part of the PNS responsible for involuntary body movements.
Cerebell/o
Refers to the cerebellum.
Cerebr/o
Refers to the cerebrum.
Cortic/o
Refers to the cerebral cortex.
Encephal/o
Refers to the brain.
Gangli/o & ganglion/o
Refers to ganglion.
Gli/o
Refers to neuroglia.
-lalia
Prefix meaning babble or speech.
-lepsy
Suffix indicating seizure.
-lexia
Suffix pertaining to reading.
-mania
Suffix indicating an obsessive or excited state.
Medull/o
Refers to the medulla oblongata or spinal cord.
Mening/o & meninge/o
Refers to meninges, membranes covering the brain and spinal cord.
Myel/o
Refers to the spinal cord.
Narc/o
Refers to unconsciousness or stupor.
Neur/o, Neur/I
Refers to the nervous system, tissues, or nerves.
-paresis
Suffix indicating weakness.
-phasia
Suffix relating to speech.
-phobia
Suffix indicating irrational and persistent fear.
-plegia
Suffix meaning paralysis.
-psych/o
Prefix that means mind.
Radicul/o
Refers to spinal nerve root.
Somn/o
Refers to sleep.
Thalam/o
Refers to thalamus.
Ventricul/o
Refers to ventricle or cavity.
Amnesia
Loss of memory.
Ataxia
Loss of muscular coordination.
Axon
A fiber in the neuron that carries impulses away from the neuron cell body.
Bradykinesia
Abnormal or slowness of motion.
Central Nervous System (CNS)
The brain and spinal cord.
Cephalgia
Headache.
Cerebrospinal
Pertaining to the brain and spinal cord.
Craniotomy
Surgical opening into the skull.
Dendrite
A fiber in the neuron that carries impulses toward the body of a cell.
Discectomy
Surgical excision of an intervertebral disc.
Dysphasia
Impairment of speech.
Encephalomalacia
Softening of the brain often due to ischemia or infarction.
Epidural
Pertaining to above or outside the dura mater.
Epilepsy
A brain disorder characterized by seizures due to abnormal electrical disturbances.
Gray Matter
Areas of the nervous system containing unmyelinated axons.
Hemiparesis
Weakness on one side of the body.
Intracranial
Within the skull.
Intrathecal administration
Injection into the spinal canal or subarachnoid space.
Laminectomy
Excision of the vertebral posterior arch or spinal process.
Meningitis
Inflammation of the meninges.
Myelin
A substance that insulates axons.
Myelitis
Inflammation of the spinal cord or brain membranes.
Neuralgia
Severe pain along the course of a nerve.
Neuritis
Inflammation of a nerve.
Neurologist
Physician specializing in nervous system disorders.
Neurolysis
Destruction or breaking down of nerve tissue.
Neuron
Basic functional unit of the nervous system.
Neurorrhaphy
Repair of a severed nerve.
Neurosis
Emotional condition characterized by anxiety.
Neurotransmitters
Chemicals that transmit signals across synapses.
Paranoia
Mental disorder characterized by delusions of persecution.
Peripheral Nervous System
Nerves that branch out from the brain and spinal cord.
Poliomyelitis
Infection causing inflammation of the gray matter of the spinal cord.
Psychosis
Severe mental disorder affecting perception of reality.
Quadriplegia
Paralysis of all four limbs.
Radiculitis
Inflammation of the spinal nerve roots.
Sciatica
Pain along the sciatic nerve.
Subdural
Below the dura mater.
Vagotomy
Surgical incision of the vagus nerve.
White Matter
Areas of the nervous system containing myelinated axons.
Neuron
A single nerve cell consisting of a soma, dendrites, and an axon.
Dendrites
Branch-like structures that receive signals from other neurons.
Axon Terminals
Ends of axons that release neurotransmitters.
Synapse
Space between neurons where neurotransmitters transmit signals.
Neurotransmitters
Chemical messengers that relay signals between neurons, affecting various bodily functions.
Cerebrum
Part of the brain responsible for higher cognitive functions.
Frontal Lobe
Involved in planning, organizing, personality, and higher cognitive functions.
Temporal Lobes
Involved in auditory processing and memory.
Parietal Lobes
Involved in processing sensory information and spatial awareness.
Occipital Lobe
Responsible for processing visual information.
Cerebellum
Coordinates movement and balance.
Brainstem
Responsible for essential life functions and connects the brain to the spinal cord.
Ventricles of the Brain
Cavities containing cerebrospinal fluid, cushioning the brain.
Meninges
Protective membranes covering the brain and spinal cord.
Cauda Equina
Collection of spinal nerves below the conus medullaris.
Cervical Segments
Part of the spinal cord that governs the neck and arms.
Thoracic Segments
Segments responsible for the chest and abdominal area.
Lumbar Segments
Segments controlling the lower back and legs.
Sacral Segments
Parts of the spinal cord that govern pelvis and lower limbs.
Coccygeal Segments
Segments associated with the tailbone.
Vertebral Segment
Single vertebral bone with its associated structures.
Vertebral Interspace
Space between two adjacent vertebral bodies.
Corpus
The main body of a vertebra.
Spinous Process
Projection of the vertebra that can be felt at the back.
Transverse Processes
Side projections of the vertebra.
Lamina/Laminae
Parts of the vertebra forming the posterior wall.
Facet Joints
Joints that stabilize the spine and enable mobility.
Myelination
The process of coating axons with a myelin sheath to speed up nerve impulse transmission.
Nodes of Ranvier
Gaps in the myelin sheath that facilitate rapid conduction of impulses.
Nerve Plexus
Networks of intersecting spinal nerves.
Femoral Nerve
Innervates muscles of the front thigh and lower leg.
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